Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels until they feel smooth and no longer tacky. This helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.
Rub each chicken breast with olive oil, ensuring all sides are coated evenly; this helps the seasonings adhere and encourages crispiness.
Sprinkle salt, pepper, your chosen herbs or spices, and lemon zest over both sides of each chicken breast. Pat lightly to help the seasonings stick.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for about 3 minutes, ensuring it's hot enough for even cooking and crisping.
Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping to allow hot air circulation.
Cook the chicken for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the outside turns a deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
Use tongs to remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer once cooked, and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part to confirm doneness.
Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes; this allows juices to redistribute, ensuring tender, juicy meat.
Slice the chicken against the grain to serve, revealing a juicy interior and crispy exterior, ready to enjoy.
